nsTeam1RO, nsTeam1RW, nsTeam1_talkRO, nsTeam1_talkRW, Administrators
22,417
edits
Changes
no edit summary
thousands of asteroids congregate in the so-called main
thousands of asteroids congregate in the so-called main
asteroid belt: a vast, doughnut-shaped ring located between
asteroid belt: a vast, doughnut-shaped ring located between
the orbits of Mars and Jupiter from approximately 2 to 4 AU
the orbits of [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]] from approximately 2 to 4 AU
(186 million to 370 million miles/300 million to 600 million
(186 million to 370 million miles/300 million to 600 million
kilometers). Gaspra and Ida are main belt asteroids.
kilometers). Gaspra and Ida are main belt asteroids.
Asteroids are thought to be primordial material
Asteroids are thought to be primordial material
prevented by Jupiter's strong gravity from accreting into a
prevented by Jupiter's strong gravity from accreting into a
planet-sized body when the solar system was born 4.6 billion
planet-sized body when the [[solar system]] was born 4.6 billion
years ago. It is estimated that the total mass of all
years ago. It is estimated that the total mass of all
asteroids would comprise a body approximately 930 miles
asteroids would comprise a body approximately 930 miles
kilometers) or greater. The majority of main belt asteroids
kilometers) or greater. The majority of main belt asteroids
follow slightly elliptical, stable orbits, revolving in the
follow slightly elliptical, stable orbits, revolving in the
same direction as the Earth and taking from three to six
same direction as the [[Earth]] and taking from three to six
years to complete a full circuit of the Sun.
years to complete a full circuit of the Sun.
Our understanding of asteroids has been derived from
Our understanding of asteroids has been derived from
three main sources: Earth-based remote sensing, data from
three main sources: Earth-based remote sensing, data from
the Galileo flybys, and laboratory analysis of meteorites.
the [[Galileo Galilei|Galileo]] flybys, and laboratory analysis of meteorites.
Asteroids are classified into different types according to
Asteroids are classified into different types according to
their albedo, composition derived from spectral features in
their albedo, composition derived from spectral features in
traveling at 46,000 miles/hour (74,000 kilometers/hour) --
traveling at 46,000 miles/hour (74,000 kilometers/hour) --
had passed the same point in space just six hours apart.
had passed the same point in space just six hours apart.
== External links ==
== External links ==